Serge Ibaka Undergoes Knee Surgery, Out 4-6 weeks

Unless the Thunder make a run deep into the playoffs, Serge Ibaka’s season is likely done. After undergoing a surgery on his swollen right knee, the Thunder announced that Ibaka will miss 4-6 weeks of action.

Thunder forward Serge Ibaka could miss the rest of the season after having an arthroscopic procedure on his right knee Tuesday.

Thunder general manager Sam Presti said Ibaka will be out four to six weeks. The playoffs begin April 18.

Presti said the procedure shaved off damaged cartilage from under Ibaka’s kneecap that had caused discomfort and swelling. Ibaka started having issues in late February, but he played until missing the past three games. He had averaged 17.1 points and 9.4 rebounds since the All-Star break and was shooting 55 percent.

The swelling caused stiffness and limited Ibaka’s mobility. Presti said the Thunder tried to deal with the issue through medication, rest and a modified practice regimen. The team also removed fluid from the knee, but the problems returned and were limiting him. Presti said ideally, the surgery would have been performed in the offseason.

Thunder forward Serge Ibaka has missed the last two games with a sore right knee and now it is being reported that he is undergoing a procedure on that knee which will sideline him.

Russell Westbrook is doing everything he can to secure the eighth seed for the Thunder and Ibaka was basically the Thunder’s second option with Durant still out.

Ibaka is averaging 14.3 points, 7.8 rebounds and 2.4 blocks per game on the season. Via ESPN:

It is not clear how long Ibaka will be sidelined following the surgery.

Ibaka has missed the Thunder’s past two games with what the team has called knee soreness. He will see a specialist for further evaluation, with the expectation for him to have a clean-out procedure in order to be ready for the postseason.

The Thunder have not confirmed that Ibaka will undergo the surgery, saying in a statement Monday that they have sent him to a specialist.

“As we continue to monitor and evaluate the soreness in Serge’s knee, in consultation with his representation, we decided the next best step is to have him travel to New York to see a specialist,” a team spokesman said. “We will provide an update as appropriate.”

The Thunder have had injury issues throughout the season, with Kevin Durant missing 39 games and Russell Westbrook missing 15. The Thunder currently are 37-29, just a game ahead of the New Orleans Pelicans for the Western Conference’s eighth seed.